Lower stop arrangement for concealed zipper

ABSTRACT

A lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper includes a block fixed on a first tape of the zipper and an end piece fixed on a second tape of the zipper. The block includes a compartment in which a wall is provided, separating the compartment into a first subcompartment and a second subcompartment. The end piece includes a first inserting section and a second inserting section that are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment and the second subcompartment of the block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper.

2. Description of Related Art

Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 493400 discloses a zipper comprising a slide and a lower stop having a block. A partitioning wall separates the block into a first compartment and a second compartment. A first lower end piece on a first tape is fixed in the first compartment. A second lower end piece on a second tape is removably engaged with the second compartment. When the slide comes in contact with the block, a side of the slide facing the second compartment is inclined. The first lower end piece includes a tongue for engaging with an engaging member on a perimeter wall delimiting the first compartment. To allow easy engagement for the first end piece and the first compartment, a gap is required between the first lower end piece and the perimeter wall delimiting the first compartment. As a result, the first lower end piece could not be securely retained in the first compartment. Namely, the first lower end piece wobbles in the first compartment and might disengage from the first compartment.

Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 560266 discloses a lower stop for a concealed zipper. The lower stop comprises a block, a first lower end piece on a lower end of a first tape, and a second lower end piece on a lower end of a second tape. A positioning hole is defined in the block and the first lower end piece includes an engaging member for securely engaging with the positioning hole. However, manufacturing of such a zipper is troublesome. Further, disengagement of the first lower end piece from the block is still possible, as the strength of the block and the first lower end piece are relatively weak.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper that can be easily manufactured.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper with improved strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a lower stop arrangement is provided for a concealed zipper having a first tape and a second tape. The lower stop arrangement comprises a block fixed on the first tape and an end piece fixed on the second tape. The block comprises a compartment in which a wall is provided, separating the compartment into a first subcompartment and a second subcompartment. The end piece includes a first inserting section and a second inserting section that are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment and the second subcompartment of the block.

The first subcompartment and the second subcompartment are communicated with each other. The block includes two wings defining a groove for receiving the first tape. The first tape is securely mounted between the wings.

The block includes two additional wings defining a groove therebetween, and the second tape is securely mounted between the additional wings. A wall delimiting the second subcompartment includes a guiding opening, and one of the additional wings of the block extends through the guiding opening.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view illustrating practical use of the lower stop arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly sectioned, of the lower stop arrangement after assembly;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along plane 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along plane 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the lower stop arrangement in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view, partly sectioned, of the modified embodiment of the present invention after assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper in accordance with the present invention comprises a block 1 and an end piece 2. The block 1 is fixed to a bottom end of one of two tapes 3 a and 3 b (see tape 3 a in FIG. 2) for constituting a zipper. In this embodiment, the block 1 includes two wings 11 on a side thereof, with a groove 12 defined between the wings 11. The tape 3 a is inserted into the groove 12 and fixedly bonded with the wings 11 by means of conventional injection molding, hot melting, etc.

The block 1 further includes a compartment 12 into which the end piece 2 is mounted. A partitioning wall 14 is formed in the compartment 17 and separates the compartment 17 into a first subcompartment 13 and a second subcompartment 15. A wall delimiting the second subcompartment 15 includes a guiding opening 16 communicated with the second subcompartment 15.

The end piece 2 includes a first inserting section 21 and a second inserting section 22 that are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment 13 and the second subcompartment 15. The end piece 2 further includes a wing 23 projecting from a side of the end piece 2 for engaging with the tape 3 b. The wing 23 extends through the guiding opening 16 of the block 1. The block 1 may further include a further wing 24, with a groove 25 being defined between the wings 23 and 24 for securely receiving the tape 3 b.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate the first inserting section 21 and the second inserting section 22 of the end piece 2 are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment 13 and the second subcompartment 15 of the block 1, with the wing 23 of the end piece 2 projecting through the guiding opening 16 of the block 1 and with the wall 14 extending between the first inserting section 21 and the second inserting section 22. Thus, a reliable engagement between the end piece 2 and the block 1 is obtained.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a modified embodiment of the lower stop arrangement in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the wall 14 extends in a direction parallel to the extending direction of two opposed walls of the block 1 and the extending direction of a bottom wall of the block 1. The opposed walls of the block 1 and the wall 14 have increased height, providing deeper first and second subcompartments 13 and 15. Thus, the first inserting section 21 and the second inserting section 22 of the end piece 2 can be respectively inserted into the first subcompartment 13 and the second subcompartment 15 of the block 1 to a deeper extent, providing more reliable engagement.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper, the concealed zipper comprising a first tape and a second tape, the lower stop arrangement comprising: a block fixed on the first tape, the block comprising a compartment, a wall being provided in the compartment and separating the compartment into a first subcompartment and a second subcompartment; and an end piece fixed on the second tape, the end piece comprising a first inserting section and a second inserting section that are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment and the second subcompartment of the block.
 2. The lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first subcompartment and the second subcompartment are communicated with each other.
 3. The lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block includes two wings defining a groove for receiving the first tape, with the first tape being securely mounted between the wings.
 4. The lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block includes two wings defining a groove therebetween, with the second tape being securely mounted between the wings.
 5. The lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper as claimed in claim 4, wherein a wall delimiting the second subcompartment includes a guiding opening, and wherein one of the wings of the block extends through the guiding opening. 